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Here is explained in a simple and clear way how to
swallow pills more easily, whether they are tablets
or capsules, starting from scientific studies.
Among patients who report difficulty in swallowing
pills, 1 in 3 experience vomiting, gagging, choking,
or having tablets blocked in the throat.
Given that tablets and capsules differ markedly in
physical properties such as size, shape, and
density, optimal swallowing techniques likely
differ, too.
Dr. Walter Haefeli, lead author of e new study and
clinical pharmacologist at the University of
Heidelberg, Germany, and his colleagues, aimed to
evaluate the influence of two techniques on
swallowing tablets (the pop-bottle method) and
capsules (the lean-forward technique).
This study showed for the first time that the 2
targeted techniques to facilitate tablet and capsule
intake were remarkably effective and easy to adopt
in the general population including patients with
swallowing difficulties, and should therefore be
generally recommended.
Pop-bottle method for
tablets
Pop-bottle method for tablets
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Fill a flexible
plastic bottle or pop bottle with water.
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Put the tablet on
your tongue and close your lips tightly around
the opening of the bottle.
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Take a drink from
the bottle, keeping contact between the bottle
and your lips by pursing your lips and using a
sucking motion. Swallow the water and the pill
right away.
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Don't let air get
into the bottle as you swallow. You should feel
the bottle squeeze in on itself as you swallow.
Lean-forward technique for capsules
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Put the capsule on your tongue.
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Take a medium sip of water, but do not swallow
yet.
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Bend the head forward by tilting your chin
slightly toward your chest.
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Swallow the capsule and the water the head bent
forward.
See also
How to swallow pills
more easily and most effectively (2022-12-26)
Link...
For more information
Two techniques to make swallowing pills easier
Julia T. Schiele, PhD, Hendrik Schneider, PhD,
Renate Quinzler, PhD, Gabriele Reich, PhD and Walter
E. Haefeli, MD.
Link...
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